Paradise children care centre writes success story

March 15, 2017 02:40 PM

Punjab News Express/Y.S.Rana CHOWRI (HP): Sanjay and Kanchan of Paradise Children Care Centre, Chowri in district Chamba of Himachal Pradesh, are among the 53 children who are practising hard to fly high. What makes these children different from the others is the circumstances in which they are being grown up.

They are 'children with special needs' (CWSN) and who were selected by the Special Olympic Federation of India to represent India in snow board world winter games to be held in Austria from March 14-25 next. The Centre has already a distinction to its kitty while one of its students won gold medal in power lifting in Los Angles.

Hope has replaced despair in their lives. The disabled of yesterday have become enabled today and what was a liability has been turned into an asset. Their emotions, numbed by their impairment, have begun to feel the surge. And more importantly, they are no more on the sidelines of the mainstream of society and have become a part and parcel of it.

And the agent that has brought about this change in the lives of the children with special needs is Paradise Children Care Centre, Chowri in district Chamba of Himachal Pradesh launched in 2006. A noble initiative to rehabilitate the disabled children of the district. It has indeed started living up to its name. In barely 10 years of its existence, the Centre has indeed emerged as a ray of hope in the lives of 53 inmates.

Ajay Singh Chambial, general secretary, may not be Mother Teresa or Annie Besant but he has left much to settle donw in Trinath in district Chamba of Himachal Pradesh for the love of such children. In big way or small he is expressing his love by trying to bring about changes for the betterment of CWSN. The least be can do read about his work and appreciates his efforts.

While talking to HTW he said that he took the building on rent and paying Rs 5500 per month as rent. At present, the Centre has 53 children with special needs. Of these, three students were sent to the Centre by the state government and government paid Rs 2500 each to take care of them. The centre has also facility of hostel. Notably, the Centre has deputed a blind student as gate keeper.

Mr Chambial further said that the Centre has been working relentlessly for over a decade now to ensure that the children are not deprived of their 'right to live with dignity.' These children did not need sympathy but an opportunity to show their mentle. He also revealed that it has not received any grant from the Ministry of Justice and Empowerment for the past three years. Despite this he has been able to run the Centre though some philanthropists who have appreciated his initiative and dedication to serve such children do help him through accounted donations.

He has also plans to skill these children in various trades so that they can become an asset to the society, lead a normal life with confidence that emanates from self-reliance and save them the bother of unnecessary harrassment, said he.